A Pennsylvania man has been arrested on suspicion of trying to set his ex-girlfriend’s house on fire.
23-year-old Andrew Benavidez’s heartache persisted during the six-hour drive to Laconia, New Hampshire. There, after his ex-girlfriend ended their online relationship, he allegedly tried to set her house on fire. Police said Benavidez was seen on home surveillance footage throwing what appeared to be a makeshift Molotov cocktail at his ex’s home at 2:30 a.m. Thursday. according to WBDJ7.
Pennsylvania man charged with trying to set fire to New Hampshire woman’s home with Molotov cocktail | Click image to read full story https://t.co/UoAhpMc9YA
— WTAE-TV Pittsburgh (@WTAE) May 6, 2024
Court documents say Benavidez and his ex-girlfriend have never met in person. obtained by WTAE 4. According to the paper, Benavidez’s ex-girlfriend reportedly ended their relationship earlier that week.
“It was very rough content,” Laconia Police Chief Matt Canfield said, according to WTAE 4. “It was a Corona beer bottle that contained the wick. Indeed, it represented a Molotov cocktail. Fortunately it did not catch fire.”
Benavidez allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail, but it failed to ignite. However, police say they suspect some damage was caused to the side of the house. (Related: Report: Man arrested on suspicion of setting fire to home by squatters)
“He made numerous threats against the victim, including making criminally threatening statements,” Mr Canfield said.
Authorities said Benavidez became so furious that he allegedly drove six hours to threaten his ex-girlfriend and tried to set her house on fire.
“In addition to the improvised Molotov cocktail, he threw a rock that crashed through the living room window, which fell into the residence,” Canfield said.
According to WTAE 4, police announced that Benavidez will remain in jail until his trial on May 31st.
